“A good place to work for people who like to pretend to accomplish goals. ”

Comp & Benefits

Work/Life Balance

Senior Management

Culture & Values

Career Opportunities

Current Employee - Anonymous Employee

Current Employee - Anonymous Employee

I have been working at USDA Forest Service full-time (more than 10 years)

Pros

The federal government has pretty good benefits, although new employees pay higher amounts into the pension program. In general the co-workers are good people and will make coming to work still worth the effort.

Cons

Upper management is crippled by political influences and those hired to make decisions are incapable of thinking like a business person. Typically they know little about the land they were hired to manage. Hence you will accomplish little other than trying to make their performance look good to their boss.

Advice to ManagementAdvice

Unfortunately, agency leadership will continue to promote those who tell a good story but actually accomplish very little. Most employees would be excited to work for a leader who knows forest management and actually enables active effective forest management.

I have been working at USDA Forest Service full-time (more than 3 years)

Pros

One of the best missions around in protecting our national forest resources in the most amazing workplace (the forest) with terrific coworkers. Great work/life balance.

Cons

The agency does not care about its personnel. Consolidated human resources in Albuquerque does not understand the mission and is not held accountable for abysmal performance. Very low pay. Poor performers are not placed on a legitimate performance plan and are protected by unions. Too many of the old-guard are retired in place and holding back the contemporary best management practices, science, and socio-economic realities. The agency has been captured by special interests. Disconnected and incompetent senior management. Many employees lack a career path. Poor succession planning. The agency is out of touch with the local communities that depend on the forest resource for social and economic wellbeing. Ancient equipment, poor information technology, and redundant business processes.

Advice to ManagementAdvice

Stand up to political leaders and demand adequate funding to execute the mission. Involve the local community and spread awareness of the environmental and business interests that have captured forest management.